There's a bar called Zelda's in Palm Springs that's housed in some pretty classic mid-century modern architecture. To get there you travel north on Indian from Ramon and go till you see the Zelda's sign on your left (Indian is one way going north). Park in the Zelda's lot or along the street during the day and you'll be enchanted with a walk that will take you back to the 50s.
Palm Springs is a peculiar place in that it has a strict preservation code to save mid-century modern architecture from the wrecking ball. In most other cities sites like this are abandoned highway monuments that people never know what to do with.
Here's Palm Springs definition of an historic site that's worth preserving.
(Palm Springs Municipal Code: 8.05.020.)
"An historic site is any real property such as: a building; a structure, including but not limited to archways, tiled areas and similar architectural elements; an archaeological excavation or object that is unique or significant because of its location, design, setting, materials, workmanship or aesthetic effect and:
1. That is associated with events that have made a meaningful contribution to the nation, state or community; or
2. That is associated with lives or persons who made a meaningful contribution to national, state or local history; or
3. That reflects or exemplifies a particular period of the national, state or local history, or
4. That embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction, or
5. That presents the work of a master builder, designer, artist, or architect whose individual genius influenced his age; or that possesses high artistic value; or
6. That represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction; or
7. That has yielded or may likely to yield information important to national, state or local history or prehistory.
Courtesy of the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation.
Palm Springs is a peculiar place in that it has a strict preservation code to save mid-century modern architecture from the wrecking ball. In most other cities sites like this are abandoned highway monuments that people never know what to do with.
Here's Palm Springs definition of an historic site that's worth preserving.
(Palm Springs Municipal Code: 8.05.020.)
"An historic site is any real property such as: a building; a structure, including but not limited to archways, tiled areas and similar architectural elements; an archaeological excavation or object that is unique or significant because of its location, design, setting, materials, workmanship or aesthetic effect and:
1. That is associated with events that have made a meaningful contribution to the nation, state or community; or
2. That is associated with lives or persons who made a meaningful contribution to national, state or local history; or
3. That reflects or exemplifies a particular period of the national, state or local history, or
4. That embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction, or
5. That presents the work of a master builder, designer, artist, or architect whose individual genius influenced his age; or that possesses high artistic value; or
6. That represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction; or
7. That has yielded or may likely to yield information important to national, state or local history or prehistory.
Courtesy of the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation.
The photo features their restrooms, which open directly onto the courtyard.
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